"This is our biggest bust yet," CA attorney general says of fentanyl seizure in Los Angeles County
While announcing criminal charges in the case, Attorney General Rob Bonta said the recent seizure of more than 50 pounds of fentanyl in Los Angeles County is the largest bust of its kind the California Department of Justice has seen.
"We're here today to announce the arrest of three major fentanyl traffickers involved in cartel activity and the seizure of 14 million — yes, you heard that right — 14 million lethal doses of fentanyl," Bonta said Tuesday. "This is our biggest bust yet."
"This powdered fentanyl would've been turned into pills," he said.
On Jan. 22, police found the more than 50 pounds of fentanyl and nearly 12 pounds of opium inside a car and apartment in the city of Downey, according to prosecutors. Bonta said investigators also came across 5 kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of cocaine and two firearms suppressors during the searches, with state officials working alongside the Downey Police Department.
Three defendants, including a pair of siblings, are facing the following criminal charges in the case.
Priscilla Gomez, 43, of Torrance: three counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance, one count sale/transportation/offer to sell controlled substance.
Gustavo Omar Gomez, 47, of Huntington Park: two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance.
Carlos Manuel Mariscal, 38, of Huntington Park: two counts of possession for sale of a controlled substance, one count of possession of a silencer and one count of unlawful possession of ammunition prohibited by a prior conviction.
If convicted of all charges, Mariscal faces up to 31 years and eight months in prison while Priscilla Gomez faces a maximum possible sentence of 28 years and eight months and Gustavo Gomez faces up to 24 years in prison.
Prosecutors asked the court to set bail at $60,000 for Mariscal, $35,000 for Priscilla Gomez and $10,000 for Gustavo Gomez.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman gave some perspective on the 14 million doses within the seizure, comparing it to the sprawling county's population of more than 10 million.
"This one seizure could've killed, literally, every resident in LA County by itself," Hochman said. "And to give you an idea and a perspective: In 2024, across the U.S.-Canadian border, there was less than 50 pounds of fentanyl seized. So they seized, in one afternoon, more fentanyl than was seized in the entire U.S.-Canadian border in an entire year — in one apartment."
Bonta spoke on the significance of the seizure given how little pure fentanyl it takes for a fatal dose — the DEA estimates 2 grams, equivalent to just a few grains of salt — and how it's become a leading cause of death nationwide.
Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death of among U.S. adults age 18 to 45, surpassing car accidents, gun violence and suicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"No community is untouched by this crisis, unfortunately — rural or urban, high or low income, Republican or Democrat, children or adults," Bonta said. "Everyone has been touched."
The California Department of Justice's Fentanyl Enforcement Program was launched in 2021. Bonta said the special task force has made more than 480 arrests in the less than five years since then. In the same span of time, district attorneys across Southern California have cracked down on crimes linked to fatal fentanyl overdoses, filing murder charges in a growing number of cases.
Even more politically progressive prosecutors have begun filing murder charges in these cases. Last year, former LA County DA George Gascón, who had campaigned on a platform against heavy penalties for drug-related crimes, charged an alleged fentanyl dealer with murder for the first time.
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